Combined washing machine and drier



July 28, I1942 c. E. MoRGENsTERN 2,291,088

COMBIED WASHING MACHINE AND DRIE Filed June 22, 1956 8 Sheetsheet 2 INVENTOR CHARLES E. MGf/VSTEM ATTORNEY July 28. 1942- c. E. MoRGENsTERN 2,291,088

COMBINED WASHING MACHINE AND DRIER Filed June 22, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Egg@ ATTORNEY f July 28, 1942 c. E. MoRGENsTl-:RN

COMBINED WASHING' MACHINE AND DRIER Filed June 22, 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY July 28 1942- c. E. MoRGENsTERN 2,291,088

COMBINED WASHING MACHINE AND DRIER Filed June 22, 1935 8 Sheets-.Sheet 5 Plas.

INVENTOR 5 E NORGENSTf/W b ATTORNEY July 28, 1942 C. E. MORGENSTERN COMBINED WASHING MACHINE AND DRIER Filed June 22, 1936 l 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR CHARLES E. MOHGENSTERN ATTO R N EY July 28, 1942- l c. E. MORGENSTERN 2,291,088

COMBINED WASHING MACHINE AND DRIER Fil'ed June -22, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 July 28. 1942- 'c. E. MORGENSTERN 22915088 COMBINED WASHING MACHINE AND DRIER Filed June 22, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 B/cz, 7/

ATTO R N EY VMI! du, Lv.-

COlVIBINED WASHING MACHINE AND DRIER Charles E. Morgenstern, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor to Nineteen Hundred Corporation, Binghamton, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 22, 1936, Serial No. 86,522

10 Claims.

This invention relates to domestic laundry machines and particularly to such machines including in combination a washing machine and a centrifugal drier.

It has been a primary object of the invention to improve and simplify machines of the character specified and increase their efficiency in the performance of the washing and drying operations.

A special feature of the invention is the provision of improved means for supporting and centralizing the centrifugal drying bas/liet so that it may be revolved at a high spegjithout producing undue vibrations of the mahllaamvyhgl, In this connection it has been found that central-l izing forces applied to the basket supporting shaft intermediate its ends are much more eiective when the forces are applied in an irregular or non-uniform manner. Thus, if forces are applied to the shaft at spaced intervals around a plane, they will act more quickly and eiectively to stabilize the shaft if the spacing is not regular or equal between the successive points of application.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of simple but effective control devices for governing the operation of the drier and insuring application of the cover thereto whenever the drier is in operation. A simple arrangement is also provided for controlling the drainage devices associated with the washing and drying units in conjunction with the control of the operation of these units.

A further feature is the provision of a drainboard in association with the drier capable of readily assuming any one of a plurality of diierent positions, the construction for this purpose being simple and inexpensive.

In connection with the washing unit, an improved relationship has been provided between the agitator and tub. The agitator is of a type capable of setting up vigorous movements of the water in directions having a substantial component upwardly along the wall of the tub and therefore having a tendency to continue upwardly beyond the top of the tub, as normally constructed. Such a movement is produced by a single vane agitator of the type disclosed in Davis Patent No. 1,748,442, granted February 25, 1930.

It has been found in the use of such an agitator at the speed and through the arc of travel desired for efcient washing of the clothes that the upward movement of the water is such as to cause the cover to be lifted and some of the water to be splashed from the machine. According to a feature of the present invention, however, this diculty is overcome by so forming the top of the tub as to cause the upwardly moving currents of water to be turned inwardly toward the center of the tub just beneath the cover.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from a detailed description of an illustrative form of the same which will now be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section through the upper portion of the machine, certain of the parts being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine, most of the cover for the dryer unit being broken away to disclose the interior of the dryer and the drainboard being shown in full lines in one position and in dot and dash lines in two other positions;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail in vertical section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged horizontal section along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a slightly enlarged horizontal section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section through a portion of the dryer unit;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical section through the upper portion of the machine along the line '1 1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7a. is a vertical section along the lines 'la-1a of Fig. 4, the parts being shown in proper relation to the devices of Fig. 7;

Fig. 8 is a detail view in section along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a slightly enlarged horizontal section taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 6 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a similar, horizontal section taken along the line I ll--IIJ of Fig. 6 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section along the line II--Il of Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a, detail view in elevation along the line |2-I2 of Fig. 6 with some of the parts broken away to better illustrate others;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the devices shown in Fig. 12;

Fig, 14 is an elevational view, partly in section, taken along the line I4-I4 of Figure 5 and showing the linkage for controlling the washing mechanism; and

Fig. 15 is a vertical section along the line IS-I 5 of Figure 6 showing a detail of the spinner drive.

Referring now to the drawings, the machine iIIuStrated comprises a suitable support I0 having a substantially fiat supporting surface at its top and a downwardly extending skirt or apron enclosing and concealing the operating devices of the machine. The support III is preferably carried by a series of legs I I, a fragmentary portion of only one of which is indicated in Fig. 1.

Four such legs may be employed to provide a sturdy support. On the upper surface of the supportl I there is mounted a washing compartment or tub I2, preferably cylindrical in form, and a similar cylindrical compartment or charnber I3 for the dryer. As shown, the dryer compartment may be considerably smaller in diameter than the tub, although its height is preferably the same. To eliminate vibration and noise as much as possible, the tube I2 is preferably supported adjacent its periphery by a rubber ring 4, or the like, while the dryer chamber may be similarly supported by means of a rubber ring I5, or the like.

To the under side of the horizontal portion of the support I0 there may be suitably attached a bracket I6 having downwardly extending arms arranged to carry a motor The armature shaft I8 of the motor is connected by a universal coupling I9 with a shaft 20 journaled in a gear casing 2|. This'gear casing is suitably attached to the support I0 and has an upwardly extending neck 22 passing through an opening in the support I0 and through an opening in the bottom of the tub I2. A cooperating sleeve member 23 may serve to clamp the support and tub bottom together. This construction may suitably be of the form disclosed in the application filed by George L. Davis and Charles E. Morgenstern under Serial No. 57,335 on January 3, 1936. As disclosed in said application, a suitable stuffing box construction and other means may be employed within the sleeve 23 and the top of the gear casing to prevent leakage of water from the tub. A shaft 24 suitably journaled in the gear casing and sleeve 23 may carry a torque block 25 at its upper end adapted to receive and drive an agitator 26, which may be held in place on the shaft by a screw 2T. The agitator 26 may be of any suitable construction but one that will produce violent agitation and movement of the water, such as a single vane construction of the type disclosed in the previously mentioned Davis patent, is preferable.

Any appropriate means may be provided for imparting an oscillatory or other rotary movement of suitable magnitude and speed to the shaft 24. For this purpose the shaft 2U may carry a worm adapted to mesh with aworm-A wheel 28 carried by a stub shaft 29 suitably jour-- naled in the gear casing. A pin eccentrically mounted on the worm-wheel may -be connected by a link 3| with a pin 32 carried by.a segment 33 mounted on a fixed pivot 34 withinthe gear casing. Segment 33 meshes with a broadtoothed pinion 35 forming part of a clutch unit having at its upper end a toothed member 3S adapted to cooperate with an internally toothed member secured to the shaft 24. As will be understood, the clutch member 35 is free to turn upon the shaft 24 but when lifted to engage the toothed portion 36 with the internally toothed member of the clutch, the shaft 24 will be oscillated in accordance with the movements of the segment. Preferably the shaft 24 will be caused to turn in this way through an arc of between 175 and 225 at a speed of between 50 and '75 complete to and fro movements per minute. Any

appropriate means may be provided for lifting the clutch member 36, including, for example, a lever 36| (Fig. 14) connected with a link 3l operable by a two-armed lever 31| which in turn is operated by a rod 38. This rod is slidable longitudinally in suitable supports (not shown) by means of a knob 39 (Fig. 2) carried at its upper end. Upon depression of the knob the lever 31| is shifted to the broken-line position of Figure 14, an over-center spring 312 assisting in the iinal part of the movement, and the clutch is thereby engaged. If the clutch teeth are not properly alined when first brought together, a spring (not shown) in the connection 3T will yield temporarily until the teeth are alined. The knobiv39. may be locked in depressed position in any suitable way, as by turning the same, to carry a -pin on the shank thereof beneath some part of the casing. When it is desired to release the clutch the knob may be simply turned to aline said pin with a slot so that a spring, capable of lifting the rod against the action of spring 312, will restore the parts to the full-line position of Figure 14. The pin and spring, just mentioned, are

not shown but may be similar to those associatedwith the spinner control knob |33, to be later de` scribed.

The tub I2 is preferably provided at its center with a depressed well 40 into which the bottom disc portion of the agitator 26 may be set with a relatively close t. From the top of the well the portion 4| of the bottom of the tub preferably slopes upwardly at a slight angle toward the side walls of the tub. A gentle curvature is preferably employed, as indicated at 42, between the bottom and side walls of the tub. This arrangement enables the free, easy movement of the Water and clothes outwardly and upwardly as the agitator is oscillated. At the top of the tub thej side walls are curved inwardly along a sweepingarc of relatively large radius, as indicated at 43. This curved portion at the top is preferably made integral with the side wall, although it may, if desired, be provided as a separate element so long as a good water-tight joint is provided between it and the side walls. In the oscillation of an agitator of the single vane type, currents of water are thrown violently outward toward the wall of the tub and these currents travel upwardly as well as around the wall with considerable momentum and velocity. It has been found that if the tub is provided with an opening at the topv substantially equal to the diameter of the side walls, or if the top is simply closed partially by a ange extending inwardly at a sharp angle from the side walls, there is a tendency for all v,or' part of the water to move straight up through the opening at the top, lifting the cover if one is applied -over the opening. However, when the top of the tub is curved inwardly, in the manner shown'in Fig. 1, the upward movement of the water is gradually converted into an inward movement and there is no tendency for the water to lift the cover or splash out of the tub. Even though the upwardly moving wall of water may be of substantial thickness, the curvature 43 at the top of the tub is suiiicient to direct the water inwardly across the top of the tub without rising above the top of the tub, particularly when clothes are mixed with the water. Preferably the inner edge of the curved portion 43 is formed to provide a slight neck 44 at the top of the tub, which may conveniently receive a rubber gasket 45 to support a cover member 46. This construction places the bottom of the cover slightly above a line tangent to the curved surface 43 adjacent its inner edge. Accordingly, there will be no tendency to lift the cover and cause water to be splashed out of the machine. It should be observed in connection with this feature of the construction that the problem referred to above does not arise when a multiple vane agitator is used. The character of the water current set up by the common multiple vane type of agitator is such that the water does not tend to rise appreciably above its normal level and therefore does not tend to lift the cover and splash out of the machine.

Turning now to the drying unit, there is provided within the chamber or compartment I3 a perforated basket 4l. This basket is preferably substantially cylindrical but with its upper end sloping inwardly to partially close the same. Substantially the entire vertical Wall is provided with a series of perforations to permit the discharge of water as the basket is rotated at a high speed, in the manner to be explained. The bottom of the basket is preferably formed by a casting 138, having an upwardly extending portion 49 at its center provided with a sleeve 55 adapted to snugly receive the upper end of a shaft 5|. A pin 52, carried by the projection i9 adjacent its upper end, is adapted to fit into a notch or groove 53 in the upper end of the shaft 5I. In this way the rotation of the shaft is imparted to the basket The upper end of projection F59 is preferably closed by a screw cap 513, or the like.

Shaft 5I is journaled in a bearing sleeve 55, formed of bronze or other good bearing material mounted in an extension 55 of a casing 51. The extension 56, as shown, is preferably provided on a separable cover member bolted to the main portion of the casing 5l. At its lower end this casing is formed with a downward extension 58, preferably square in cross section. A rubber projection 59, similarly square in cross section, surrounds the projection and fits within a pocket provided by a member B5. The latter is carried by a strap 6| secured by bolts 62 to a bracket 63 suitably secured to the main support l5. The member 6U is preferably secured to the strap Si by means of bolts S4 passing through elongated slots 55 in the strap. This arrangement is such that the angular relation between the member 60 and the strap 6I may be varied slightly to properly aline certain shafts, the necessity for which will be made clear hereinafter. Beneath the strap 6I there is provided a disc 5S of rubber or other resilient material, preferably having a reduced portion extending through an opening in the strap and engaging the lower end of the projection 58. A metal plate or washer 51 is provided beneath the disc 66 and a bolt 68 is employed to retain these parts in assembled relation. It will be apparent that through the construction described the casing 57 will be supported by the strap 6| in a position to maintain the axis of the shaft 5| substantially vertical. However, due to the rubber or other resilient bushing 55 and disc 66, the casing may be tilted slightly in any direction.

In order to assist in maintaining the substantially vertical alinement of the shaft 5I without, however, rigidly confining the shaft, resilient means are provided for applying forces of the character hereinbefore specified at a point some distance up from the lower end of the casing 5l'. For this purpose a collar 69 is provided around the extension 56 of the casing, this collar being rigidly secured to the extension and having a pair of laterally projecting Wings 10. Each of these wings is provided with a pair of apertures to receive the ends of springs 1I. The opposite ends of these springs are attached to pins 12, each carried by a bracket 'I3 secured to the under side of the main support I0. The pins 'I2 are threaded for at least a portion of their length to receive nuts 'I4 which may be adjusted to any position desired and locked therein in any suitable way. By so adjusting these nuts the tension on the various springs 'II may be varied to suit the particular requirements. It will be observed that the springs 'II are not uniformly distributed around the axis of the casing but are arranged to apply a greater restraining force to the movement of the casing in certain directions than in others. It will be appreciated that When the basket is being rotated at high speed, the uneven distribution of the clothes therein will tend to produce a greater centrifugal force at the point here the load is in excess. As a result of this uneven distribution of the load, the upper end of the shaft 5| will have a tendency to move in a gyratory path as it rotates. If an attempt were made to rigidly confine the shaft with relation to the main support I0, the forces tending to move the shaft in a gyratory path would be imparted to the frame and would thus set up very objectionable vibrations therein. However, these vibrations are eliminated or reduced to an unobjectionable minimum by the application of resilient forces to the shaft, in the manner disclosed, to retain it in or restore it to its normal position. As the machine is set into operation, the upper end of the shaft 5I tends to move in a gyratory or orbital path but the magnitude of this path is very quickly reduced by the action of the springs |I as the basket attains the desired speed. Suffice it to say, without attempting to explain the reason for it, the non-uniform arrangement of the springs II assists very materially in promptly reducing the extent of the gyratory motion and preventing it from attaining an objectionable magnitude.

Means are preferably provided for effecting a seal at the bottom of the container I3 to prevent the discharge of Water along the shaft 5I. For this purpose a member 'I5 is provided around the shaft, this member having a laterally extending flange at its base which may be secured to the bottom of the container I3. A gasket I6 is preferably provided between the member 'i5 and the bottom of the container. Any suitable means, such as screws TI, may be employed for securing the member 'I5 to the container bottom. Mem ber 'I5 extends upwardly into a recess formed in the bottom member 48 of the basket. The top of the member 'I5 is thus maintained at a level normally above the level at which water will accumulate within the container. However, should water rise above this level, it is prevented from passing downwardly between the member I5 and shaft 5I by means of a flexible diaphragm 78 formed of rubber or other suitable material. This' diaphragm preferably has an annular portion, U-shaped in cross-section, fitting over the upper end of the member l5 and has another annular portion surrounding a sleeve 'FSJ secured to the shaft 5|. A sufhciently tight fit is provided between the diaphragm and the sleeve 'I9 to substantially prevent the passa-ge of any water along the shaft. However, should any small amount of water find its way along the shaft it will be deected by an outwardly flaring shield 80 carried by the shaft beneath the sleeve 19. This shield or deflector will divert such water outwardly over the extension 56 and will prevent its passage into the interior of the casing 51 which carries a lubricant.

The lower end of the shaft is reduced in diameter and is surrounded by a sleeve 8| (Figure which ts snugly in a recess 82 in the extension 58 of the casing 51. Moreover, the lower end of shaft 5| is formed with a recess 83 carrying a series of balls 84, the lowermost of which extends slightly beyond the lower end of the shaft and bears against a disc 85. Beneath this disc is a large ball 86 supported by a disc 81 carried at the lower end of the recess 82. In this way the vertical thrust of the shaft 5|, together with the basket 41, is transmitted to the casing 51.

Mounted on the sleeve 8| and secured thereto is a spiral gear 88 adapted to mesh with a similar spiral gear 89 (Figs. 10 and 15) secured to a shaft 90 carried by bearings 9| and 92 integral with the casing 51. The end thrusts of the shaft 90 are taken by a disc 93, ball 94 and a second disc 95 mounted in the end of the recess forming the bearing 92. Shaft 90 is connected by a universal coupling 96 with one end of the shaft I8 of motor I1. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the motor shaft I8 is connected at one end to drive the agitator of the washing machine and is connected at its other end to drive the basket of the dryer. Adjacent its upper end the sleeve 8| is provided with a laterally extending flange 81 to which is secured a disc 98. Normally the weight of the sleeve 8| and its connected parts will be sufficient to cause the latter to rest upon the bearing disc 85. However, the arrangement of the teeth on the spiral gears 88 and 89 is such that in driving the sleeve 8| against any substantial resistance, the sleeve will be raised until the disc 98 strikes a shoulder 99 (Fig. 15) formed slightly above it by enlargement of the shaft 5|. This will serve to lift the lower end of sleeve 8| from the disc 85 and eliminate friction at this point. Continued upward movement of the sleeve due to the vertical thrust produced by the spiral gears will tend to lift the shaft 5| and the basket` However, the arrangement is such that in the normal operation of the machine the various forces acting upon the shaft 5| are substantially balanced so that friction is reduced to a minimum but the basket is actually not lifted to any appreciable extent.

The portion of the shaft 5| directly below the bearing is provided with a series of splines |00 cooperating with internal splines on a sleeve member |0 This sleeve member is, therefore, adapted to be rotated with the shaft and may be shifted longitudinally of the shaft. The lower end of the sleeve member is provided with an annular flange |02 carrying an annular friction member |03 adapted to cooperate with the disc 98. A spring |04 compressed between a collar |05 secured to the shaft 5| and the upper end of sleeve member |0| urges the latter downwardly to pro- Vide frictional driving engagement between'the members 98 and I 03. So long as thisfrictio'nal engagement is maintained the basket 41 will be rotated, i. e., whenever the motor |1 is in operation. To disconnect the basket from the motor the sleeve member I0| must be lifted to disengage the friction surfaces. For this purpose member |0| has secured to its upper end an annular'plate |06 arranged to be engaged by a friction element |01 carried by an annular member |08. Member |08 is provided with a pair of downwardly extending ears |09 connected with opposite ends of a yoke I|0 by means of pins III. Yoke IIO is secured to a shaft ||2 carried by bearings provided in an extension of the casing 51. A screw I I3 cooperating with a notch or cut-out portion of the yoke ||0 serves to retain the latter and the shaft |I2 against axial movement without, however, preventing a limited rocking movement of these parts. At one end of the shaft ||2 there is secured an arm |I4 carrying at its free end a roller I|5. In the plane of the roller l5 there is provided an arm I|6 carried by a stud ||1 mounted on the frame of the machine. The free end of arm I I6 is formed with a camming surface ||8 arranged to engage the roller |I5 as the arm is rocked downwardly and thereby rocks the shaft ||2 counter-clockwise (Fig. 7a) to lift the member |01 into engagement with member |06 and upon the continued movement of member |01 the sleeve |0I will be raised against the action of spring |04. This serves not only to break the driving connection between the members |03 and 98 but. also applies a break between members |06 and |01 since the latter is held fixed against rotational movement.

For the purpose of rocking the arm ||6 in the manner explained, it has integrally -or otherwise connected therewith an arm ||9 to which is attached a spring |20, the opposite end of which is connected with the frame of the machine. It will be apparent that spring |20 tends to rock the parts in the direction in whichsurface IIS will engage roller ||5 to disengage the friction clutch and apply the brake in the manner explained.

When it is desired to operate the dryer, it is' necessary to depress the arm II9 against the action of spring |20. For this purpose'the arm is bifurcated at its outer end, as indicated at I2 I, and is fitted between nuts |22 carried at the lower end of a vertically extending rod |23. The upper end of this rod slides in an apertured guide member |24 carried by a member |25 carried at the top of the machine and forming a closure for the space between the tub I2 and drying chamber |3. A collar |26 secured to rod |23 abuts against the lower side of the guide member |24 to limit the extent of the rocking movement of the arm ||9 by the spring |20. The top member |25 has an annular rim |21 adapted to fit over a gasket |28 carried at the top of thev chamber I3. A detachable cover |29 is ar' ranged to close the top of the chamber |3 and for this purpose is provided with an annular vsealing member |30, formed of rubber or the like, extending around its periphery and adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the rim |21. .At one side of the cover there is secured, as by means of rivets orthe like, a bracket I3I terminating at its outer end in a vertical guide sleeve |32. In this sleeve there is mounted, for both rotary and axial movement, the shank of a control knob |33. To this knob is attached a downwardly extending rod |34 in axial alinement with the rod |23. A pin |35 extending through the rod |34 may be alined, by proper rotation of the knob :133, with an elongated passage |36 formed through a boss on the top member |25. When the pin and passage are alined a spring |31 serves to urge the knob into the dotted-line position of Fig. '1, in which the pin engages the surface |38 within the sleeve portion of the bracket I3|. This lower portion of the sleeve may conveniently be so formed as to hold the pin, and hence the knob, in a definite position so that when the cover is in place the pin will be properly alined with the passage |36. The knob, when lock the cover 29 with relation to top member |25. When the knob is depressed and locked in this position, furthermore, the lower end of rod |34 will engage and depress the rod |23 against the action of spring I 20 and rock the arms I I6 and ||9 into the positions indicated in Fig. 7a. This will permit the spring |04 to slide the member |02 out of braking position and into frictional engagement with the driving member 98.

A suitable drainage system is provided for discharging the water from the tub I2 at the end of a washing operation and also for discharging the water from the chamber I3 during the operation of the dryer. For this purpose a valve chamber |39 is provided to receive the water from both the tub and the drying chamber. A tube |40 extending upwardly at a slight angle to the horizontal from one side of the valve chamber is provided with a tting |4I at its end attached to the bottom of the tub to receive the water therefrom when desired. A substantially vertical branch of the valve chamber is provided with a flange |42 adjacent its upper end, arranged to cooperate with the bottom of the drying chamber I3. A tting |43 within the chamber I3 serves to clamp the Valve chamber to the drying chamber and serves also as a strainer for this inlet to the valve chamber. As shown, the fitting |43 preferably is located in a slight depression I44 in the chamber I3. A shaft I 45 extending transversely through the chamber |39 has secured to it a T-shaped Valve support member |45 carrying a valve |41 at the end of one of the arms, arranged to cooperate with a valve seat |48 at the inner end of the line |40. A similar valve member |49, carried by the end of the other arm of the support |46, is arranged to cooperate with a seat |50 in the passage from the drying chamber. A pair of springs |5| (Fig. 4), surrounding the shaft |45 and abutting opposite sides of the valve chamber, serve to retain the valve structure in a properly centralized position.

At the outer end of the shaft |45 there is mounted a control member |52 which may be grasped by the operator and rotated to carry the valve |41 againstseat |48 or valve |49 against seat |50. At the inner end of the shaft |45 there is mounted an arm |53, having connected to its outer end a spring |54 whose other end is secured to a pin |55 carried by the valve chamber. The arrangement of the spring |54 is such that it serves to hold the pair of valves in either of their extreme positions. As the valves are shifted past dead center, the spring |54 will assist in swinging them to close one passage and fully open the other. Intermediate the ends of the shaft |45 there is secured an arm |56 having a foot |51 (Fig. 7a) adapted to swing beneath the rod 23. When the parts are in the positions shown in Figs. 7 and '7a. the valve leading from the drying chamber is open. It is not possible to reverse the condition of the valves due to the abutment of the foot |51 with the lower end of the rod |23 as soon as manual rotation of the shaft |45 is attempted. This insures proper drainage of the water from the drying chamber so long as the spinner basket is in operation and prevents the discharge of water from the tub at this time. Furthermore, should the valves be in the opposite position at the time the spinner is set into operation, the rod |23, on being depressed for this purpose, will engage the foot |51 and swing the valves into the position indicated in Fig. 7a. It will be understood that the overcenter spring |54 will assist in this operation.

A suitable pump is provided for withdrawing the water from the valve casing |39 and discharging it into a stationary laundry tub or any other suitable receptacle. This pump may comprise a pump chamber |58 (Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6) carried by a series of rods |59 extending from the housing of the motor I1, in a direction parallel with the axis of the motor. A rotor carried by the shaft I8 of the motor operates within the chamber |58 to pump the water as desired. A connection |60 is provided between the intake side of the pump and the discharge side of the Valve casing |39, while a hose or tube |6| is connected with the discharge side of the pump to convey the Water to any desired point. A flexible hose may be provided for this purpose to enable convenient discharge of the water into any suitable receptacle.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a drainboard |62 which is adapted to be moved into any one of a plurality of different positions. For this purpose there is attached, by welding or the like, to the underside of the drainboard a pair of lugs |63, each having a downwardly projecting foot portion adapted to enter one of a series of slots or apertures formed in projections |64 extending from the edge of the member |25. These slots are appropriately spaced and located to permit the drainboard to assume any one of a number of different positions, three such positions being indicated.

It is believed that the operation of the machine will be clear from the foregoing detailed description of its various parts. A brief rsum may be given, however, for convenience. The clothes to be laundered are rst placed in the tub I2 with a sufficient quantity of water to provide an eiiicient washing action. The motor I1 is then set into operation by throwing a suitable switch and the knob 39 is depressed, and locked by turning the same, to engage the clutch member 36 with its cooperating member to set the agitator 26 into operation. After a desired Washing period the knob 39 is turned to release the clutch and the clothes are removed from the tub I2 and placed in the basket 41 of the dryer. The lid |29 of the dryer is then set in place and the knob |33 depressed and rotated to place the pin |35 crosswise of the passage |36. Depression of the knob in this way depresses the rod |23 which in turn rocks the arms ||9 and ||6 against the action of spring |20 and permits the spring |04 to slide the member IOI downwardly, thereby disengaging the brake surfaces and engaging the friction clutch surfaces. This will set the spinner basket 41 into rotation. As the speed of rotation increases, the supporting shaft 5| will receive a gyratory movement which will increase in magnitude at the beginning but, when a certain speed is attained, will be reduced in magnitude by the action of the non-uniformly distributed springs 1|. If the valves |41 and |49 were not in the correct position to permit discharge of the water from the chamber I3 when the knob |33 was depressed, the depression of this knob and the rod |23 would swing the valves into the correct position by the engagement of the lower end of rod |23 with the foot |51. Upon completion of the drying operation the knob |33 is simply rotated to aline the pin |35 with the passage |36 and the cover |29 is thereby released. Spring |20 then takes effect to rock the arm IIB downwardly engaging the roller to lift the brake member |01. into engagement with the member |06. 'I'his also lifts the member |0| to disengage the friction clutch faces 99 and |03.

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made in the construction and operation of the various parts without departing from the general principles and scope of the invention. 'I'he terms and expressions employed herein are to be regarded as terms of description and not of limitation.

What I claim is:

1. Ina machine of the class described a centrifugal drier basket, a chamber surrounding said basket. a pump connected,withgsaignghamber for withdrawgliid tlii'from, a vali/ gin the connection between said pump andl chamber, power means for operating said basket and said pump, said pump being constantly connected with said power means, and manually operable means for controlling the operation of said basket by said power means and simultaneously controlling said valve, said valve being operable independently of said manually operable means.

2. In a machine of the class described a centrifugal basket, a chamber enclosing said basket, a detachable cover for said chamber, means for revolving said basket, a clutch for coupling and uncoupling said means and basket, means for controlling said clutch, and means on said cover for operating said controlling means, said means on the cover also including means for attaching said cover to said chamber.

3. In a machine of the class described a drying compartment, a revolvable basket in said ccmpartment, a cover adapted to close the top of said compartment, driving means for revolving said basket, means for connecting and disconnecting said driving means and basket, means for controlling said connecting means, and depressible and rotatable means carried by said cover for l operating said controlling means and latching said cover in closed position over said compartment.

4. In a machine of the class described a drying compartment, a revolvable basket in said compartment, a cover adapted to close the top of said compartment, driving means for revolving said basket, means for connecting and disconnecting said driving means and basket, means for controlling said connecting means, and a depressible and rotatable knob carried by said cover for operating said controlling means and latching said cover in closed position, said knob and cover including means for retaining the knob in a predetermined position when the cover is in open position.

5. In a machine of the class described a centrifugal basket, a shaft supporting said basket, a motor having its axis at right angles to said shaft, a member rotatably and slidably mounted on said shaft, means including a pair of helical gears for connecting said motor with said member, said gears being arranged to impart a lifting force to said member in rotating the same,

`and means including a clutch for connecting said member with said shaft.

6. In a machine of the class described a drying compartment, a revolvable basket in said compartment, a cover adapted to close the top of said compartment, driving means for revolving said basket, means for connecting and disconnecting said driving means and basket, a pump operated by said driving means, connections'from said pump to said compartment, a valve in said connections, a longitudinally movable rod for controlling said valve and said means for connecting and disconnecting the driving means and basket, and means carried by said cover for operating said rod when said cover closes the top of said compartment.

7. A washing apparatus comprising a rinsing compartment member, a drain board member therefor, and complemental separable connectable means associated with said members, one of said means being more extensive than and having portions 4selectively connectable with the other means to removably support said drain board member in any of a plurality of positions relative to said compartment member.

8. An apparatus of the character described having a compartment for article-treating liquid, asplash vguard member over at least a part of the rim of said compartment, a drain board member for said compartment, and complemental separable connectable means associated with said members, one of said means being arranged in a generally arcuate series to support said drain board member selectively in angularly related positions, one of said members having a portion overhanging the other at the juncture of said members when they are connected together.

9. A washing apparatus comprising an articletreating compartment and having at an upper part of` said compartment a top and a substantially arcuate series of sockets in and extending downward from an upwardly facing surface of said top, a drain board having an under surface engageable with the first surface, and one or more lugs, less than the number of sockets, projecting from said under surface and Shaped to t said sockets selectively so that said drain board may be supported in diierent positions from said top.

-10. A Washing apparatus comprising a compartment, a top providing a frame at the rim of said compartment, a generally convex portion of the frame forming a generally convex portion of the contour 'of the top, amLa drain board, said apparatus and a marginal portion of said board having separable connected portions to support said board in cantilever fashion from said apparatus, said board having an under surface to rest on said frame portion and also having a depending generally concave-convex apron engageable with said frame portion.

CHARLES E. MORGENSTERN. 

